Former Mayor donates her body to fight MS

A former Mayor of Louth has donated her body to scientific research after passing away last month at the age of 77.

Sandra Jean Ingleton died on Sunday April 23 following a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis, which she was diagnosed with more than 20 years ago.

As Sandra’s condition worsened over the years, she decided that she wanted to donate her body to science - namely the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society Tissue Bank - to help in the battle against the debilitating disease.

Sandra’s decision will provide ‘vital’ help to the MS Society, giving them the opportunity to conduct research on the very tissue that is damaged by the disease.

The society added that Sandra’s essential contribution was a ‘precious gift’ in their bid to develop treatments.

Her husband Phillip - with whom Sandra celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary just four months ago - praised his ‘brave’ wife for her selfless decision to donate her body to medical science.

Phillip said: “Sandra was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1995, and it is a slow and progressive disease.

“Towards the end it became a struggle, and it gradually got worse and worse. In her final few weeks Sandra went from living at home, to hospital, and then to the Stewton House Nursing Home in Louth.

“She decided about 10 years ago that she would donate her body to science, as her father also had MS and he did the same.”

Sandra was cremated without a funeral earlier this month, as she had requested.

Phillip added that any cash donations to the MS Society would be welcomed at the Co-operative Funeral Service in Eastgate.

Sandra served as a town councillor for a number of years, and was the Mayor of Louth from 1989/90.

The outgoing Mayor of Louth, Councillor Eileen Ballard, told the Leader: “Being the Mayor takes time, commitment and dedication, which Sandra had in abundance. I know that she was a respected member of the town council. Many will remember her with warmth.”